Interdisciplinary medication education in a church environment.

A medication education program for ambulatory care patients implemented in a church setting was studied. The program at each of 20 churches in Ohio consisted of a one-hour orientation for pharmacists/interns, a 20-minute presentation on medications and health, a question-and-answer session led by a pharmacist and a nurse, a one-on-one session with a pharmacist, and an exit interview with a nurse. Before the program, patients completed a form to assess their current experiences with medications and their interactions with health care professionals in the preceding six months. During an exit interview at the end of the program, patients were asked whether the program has been understandable and beneficial and whether taking medications affected their lifestyle. A follow-up interview was conducted six months later. A total of 187 patients completed both the exit and follow-up interviews. Almost all reported that the church setting was a good place for the program and that the program was beneficial. During the six months after the program, the patients took significantly fewer drugs each day than during the six months before the program and had fewer drug-related problems. Significantly more patients sought drug information after completing the program than before it. High rates of medication misuse were identified, leading to 359 pharmacist recommendations. An interdisciplinary program in a church setting successfully provided medication education.